Chief Minister M. K. Stalin has written a letter to the Union Minister of Environment and Forests regarding the Kerala government’s attempt to build a new dam in Mullai Periyar.
If Tamil Nadu’s objections are not taken into consideration, despite insisting that the Union Government should not consider the concept proposed by the Kerala Government to carry out a study on the construction of a new dam in Mulla Periyar, in defiance of the Supreme Court’s order. Tamilnadu government will take all necessary legal action. Hon’ble Union Minister of Environment and Forest Mr. Hon’ble Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Mr. M. K. Stalin has written a letter to Bhupender Yadav today (24-5-2024).
In the letter, the Hon’ble Chief Minister stated that the Hon’ble Chief Minister has expressed strong objection to the Union Government’s consideration of the Kerala Government’s proposal to carry out a study on the construction of a new dam at Mulla Periyar, in defiance of the order of the Hon’ble Supreme Court. (Expert Appraisal Committee), has also indicated in his letter that the above concept of Irrigation Design and Research Board of Kerala Government has been included in the agenda of the upcoming meeting.
That the said proposal of the Government of Kerala to construct a new dam in place of the existing Mulla Periyar Dam is totally contrary to the orders of the Hon’ble Supreme Court and the existing dam has been repeatedly found safe in all respects by various expert committees and the Hon’ble Supreme Court has clarified the same in its judgments dated 27.02.2006 and 07.05.2014. Hon’ble Chief Minister mentioned in his letter.
Later, in 2018, when the Kerala government tried to conduct a study for the construction of a new dam, the issue was taken to the Hon’ble Supreme Court on behalf of the Tamil Nadu government, and the Supreme Court had already given a clear verdict that any action regarding the construction of a new dam would require the permission of the Hon’ble Supreme Court. pointed out. Therefore, the Hon’ble Chief Minister has further clarified in his letter that the current process of preparation of Environmental Impact Report by Kerala Irrigation Design and Research Board and the process taken by the Environmental Expert Assessment Committee of the Union Government is certainly an act of contempt of the orders of the Hon’ble Supreme Court.
The Additional Chief Secretary, Water Resources Department, Government of Tamil Nadu has already expressed their objections on this issue. The Hon’ble Chief Minister has informed the Union Environment and Forest Department and all the members of the expert assessment committee in detail and said that if the relevant departments do not comply with the previous orders issued by the Hon’ble Supreme Court on this issue, then strong legal action including contempt of court petitions will be taken on behalf of the Government of Tamil Nadu.
Therefore, to remove the item of discussion regarding approval for preparation of Environmental Impact Statement for construction of new dam at Mulla Periyar from the agenda of the Environmental Expert Appraisal Committee meeting on 28-5-2024 and to the Union Environment and Forest Officers not to consider any such proposal of Government of Kerala in future. The Hon’ble Tamil Nadu Chief Minister has urged the Member-Secretary of the Environmental Expert Assessment Committee to order the Hon’ble Union Minister of Environment and Forests and has also requested the Hon’ble Union Minister of Environment and Forests to intervene personally in this regard considering the seriousness of the situation.
